Born in Roanoke VA, in 1981 I grew up all around ministry. My grandfather was a pastor for over 40 years and my family " The Kingerys" sang for many years all over the East Coast. I spent many weekends on an old buffalo bus listening to my Aunt Dreama, her sister Faith and their mother Becky sing. It was exciting to me and something that I will never forget. I also spent many evenings visiting the sick and the shut in with my grandfather, Pastor Bill Cato, who has now gone home to Glory. As time passed I to showed an interest in singing and ministering. I started in nursing homes on tables and in talent shows at school. One of the first songs I sang was the Easter Brothers " They're Holding up the Ladder" and Bill Gaithers " I am a Promise". I then began to sing in the choir at school and found my self leading the music in out little country church here in Roanoke. It was at age 15 that I met J.D. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet at that little country church. To me this was big... J.D. Sumner was the lowest bass singer in the world and he sang with and was friends with Elvis Presley. I never will forget that August night that J.D. Called me up on stage to sing with him. He called me his little buddie " Joseph" I felt like a star! J.D. was one of the most encouraging men I had ever met with a humble heart and a heart for God. He sat down and encouraged me to keep singing and to follow my dreams of one day singing on the Gaither Homecoming videos. Well at the young age of 16 I went out and bought my first piece of sound equipment, not knowing where I was going to sing at I was ready to go. I had told myself that I was going to be famous like J.D. Sumner and that I was going to have a big bus and lots of CD'S to sell and everything. I was young and had a great desire but the wrong kind of desire. I wanted to sing so people would know me and so that I could meet people. I sang anywhere I was called, going from churches to nursing homes, to civic clubs, anywhere. I did this for about 5 or 6 years before God took hold of my life. It was at a time where I was very prideful and selfish that God said to me, " Joe your doing this for the wrong reasons"!! I had to check why I was singing. Yes they were gospel songs and they would minster to people but my heart wasn't right. I went out and sang to find that good feeling that you get after coming off stage, sure I claimed Jesus as my Savior but so did everyone else.I wanted to have a name, have a bus and be like the big boys. I am so thankful that God humbled me and brought me to where I am today. I have realized that its not about buses or clothes or who knows you or what record label your on its all about GOD and His love for us. The last three years for me have been years of great growth in the Lord and through this growth and submission to God this ministry has really grown. All the songs I sing tell a little piece of my story. From the southern gospel songs to the hymns, from tracks to singing with the piano my message today is ever so clear. When I go to sing, I go to minister. I want to renew the brokenness that so many face today. The brokenness through relationships, drugs, physical and verbal abuse, sexual sins, and so on. I share my story and how Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly so that we can be free from sin and shame. Jesus has shown us mercy and grace and that's what I want to do to others. I want to see souls saved and peoples hearts changed through the ministry God has given me. I would love to come to your next church event or service to sing and share with you and your people what God has done for me. In a service I generally do about 45 minutes to an hour depending on what you the pastor / music minister would like. I share during that time not only though song but also through testimony and sometimes a short message. I always share the plan of salvation and extend an invitation. At the end of the service I turn the service back over to the minister in charge and am available to assist in any way possible. Jesus tells us we are to be the Salt of the Earth and the City on the Hill and that is my desire as His minister to do just that. I think that you will truly be blessed through the music that I sing and that words of hope and encouragement that I share with you. If you are interested in my ministry please use my contact page to contact me. Thank you and Please be in prayer for me as I am out sharing the love of God to a lost world.
In His Love-
Joe Overfelt
Questions & Answers
What Kind of Music do you do ?
Joe Overfelt Ministries offers both Contemporary Christian and Southern Gospel music. I feelsthat there are many styles of music that appeal to many different people so he is working to have a broad song base that includes several different genres of music. Being a younger musician and selecting a more contemporary style of music allows me to go to places and share that I otherwise may not be invited to. At the same time my roots are in Southern Gospel Music and so many times I will provide a Southern Gospel Concert as well as a worship service. My goal is not to be a form of entertainment but to provide true genuine Worship at the events he plays. I am looking to lead people in Worship and the styles that I have chosen allow me to do just that.
What does Joe Overfelt charges for Events:
I do not have a set price that I charges. In fact I have never charged anyone to play. The Ministry does need to pay for all the usual expenses like Gas, Tolls, wear & tear, maintenance on the vehicles and equipment, and some times hotel stays. I ask that you seek out God's will and provide us with nothing more or less than what you feel God is prompting you to do. Many times people offer a dollar amount up front. Sometimes I am told there will be an offering collected. Other times I am told there is nothing that can be supplied.
Joe Overfelt Ministries does not decide to play or not based on money.
If you are inviting Joe Overfelt Ministries to play and it is a profit event I would expect you would not ask him me to play for free. Don't tempt the ministry with promises of fame or by who will be there, it won't matter. Instead pray God would bring us together for His purpose!
How Far will Joe Travel ?
I am honored to be asked to play at fairs, schools, concert events, and even civic centers. However knowing all of the ministry staff have full time jobs as well as families and aren't always available to travel far distances every request can not be filled. If you are interested in having Joe Overfelt for an event please visit our Contact page and click on bookings. Please list us a detailed description of what you are planning and how you would like Joe to be a part. Someone will gladly look over your request and get back to you with in 10 business days.
